This is a tale of two surf clubs, both within 10 minutes of each other in the most populous city in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres. Twenty-one million people call São Paulo home—and now, a few thousand of those inhabitants will pony up the wave pool club membership costs for Brazil’s two new surf clubs.
Cost to Join the Brazilian Wave Pool? A Tale of Two Technologies
The choice is between two very different techs. On one hand, there’s the long, peeling lefts and rights of a Wavegarden Cove design. On the other, the Instagrammable wedges of PerfectSwell. Let’s take a quick look.
Wavegarden Cove at Beyond the Club
Wavegarden’s Cove system, an evolution of its Lagoon design, overcame earlier limitations in wave count and variety. The result is a commercially successful surf park model. Its diamond-shaped pool features a central pier housing modular machinery that generates alternating waves on both sides. Wave size and power depend on the number of modules—46 in Melbourne and Sydney, 56 in South Korea, and 62 here in São Paulo. The Cove offers customizable waves with names like Malibu, Turns, and Barrels. Surfers stay to one side of the wave basin: rights on one flank, lefts on the other. There are no split peaks.
PerfectSwell at São Paulo Surf Club
PerfectSwell, developed by American Wave Machines, uses a pneumatic system to push air through chambers, creating a range of wave types. Waco Surf in Texas uses this tech to produce single-direction waves, while the American Dream Mall in New Jersey features a split peak for beginning and intermediate sessions. Branded PerfectSwell wave settings like the McFly helped the São Paulo pool go viral recently. The system delivers 120–160 waves per hour in three-wave sets, with ride times ranging from 10 seconds in Texas to 3–8 seconds in New Jersey. The new Brazil installations, including Boa Vista, offer even longer rides advertised to be 22 seconds. This system is also in place on a smaller scale at Shizunami, Japan.
WavePoolMag First-Hand Experience with Technologies
At WavePoolMag, we’ve surfed both systems at eight different locations globally. Our take? Neither is better—they’re just different. Asking which wave pool technology is best (something we’re asked a lot) is like insisting there is such a thing as a “best” dessert. Some will swear by mango sorbet, others by tiramisù. It’s a personal choice.
We have found that, depending on public setting, pneumatic systems can offer more open, carve-able shoulders, while Cove waves feel tighter and more cupped. Both are extremely fun. Choosing the best wave pool club in Brazil comes down to the type of artificial waves you like to surf.
Side-by-Side Cost, Amenities and Surf Comparison
To give more inisight, we’ve found both corporate video clips (below) and drone clips by local enthusiasts (above.) Take a look and decide which wave type fits your style. Of course, these samples only reflect the wave settings shown. Both technologies are capable of producing an extensive menu of waves.
What Does It Cost to Join Beyond the Club?
- Tech: 62-module Wavegarden Cove
The cost to join the Brazilian wave pool at Beyond the Club will include several amenities (scroll further down.) The club is releasing 3,000 registered family titles. Members gain ownership shares, with a fixed 10% transfer fee that returns value to holders. According to the club, membership costs about $140,000 USD.
What Does It Cost to Join São Paulo Surf Club?
- Tech: Largest PerfectSwell wave pool to date
Located eight minutes away by car, São Paulo Surf Club sits in the Real Park development along the Pinheiros River. It features a 220-meter surf pool that generates 22-second-long artificial waves.
Developed by JHSF, the project emphasizes community and quality of life. A family membership starts at R$950,000 (~$190,000 USD), covering a primary member, spouse, and up to three dependents under age 35.
Amenities
Members at Beyond the Club will have access to spa services (including saunas, massage rooms, jacuzzi, indoor heated and cold pools), a large gym (2,000 m²) with Pilates, yoga, spinning, and physiotherapy, plus eight beach tennis courts, tennis, pickleball, padel, and squash courts. Additional attractions include a kids’ area, a skate park, ski and snowboard simulators, e‑sports and auto/golf simulators, a coworking space and meeting rooms, plus residential suites, pet care facilities, gastronomic venues (restaurants, bar, wine cellar), beauty salon, and theater/cultural spaces
The São Paulo Surf Club, located in the Cidade Jardim Complex near the Estaiada Bridge, was the city’s first surf club and is integrated with the São Paulo Surf Club Residences. In addition to its surf pool, the club includes a lounge, restaurant, bar, and outdoor leisure area featuring pools, parasols, and views of the São Paulo skyline. Members also have access to a range of amenities, including a surf clubhouse, private beach, full-service spa, and a large gym. There are also tennis courts, beach tennis, and facilities for pickleball, squash, and other multi-sport activities all age groups.
Who Is Behind the Developments?
Beyond the Club is the sports and leisure facility developed by KSM Realty. This is the group that built Praia da Grama a few miles inland. JHSF is behind Boa Vista, which was launched last year, and the new São Paulo Surf club.
How Do I Join?
São Paulo Surf Club: Get started at this link.
Beyond the Club: Submit your contact details here.
